A review of experiments comparing systems of grazing management on natural pastures.

Abstract

Experiments comparing different systems of grazing management on natural pastures in various parts of the world are reviewed. In experiments in which various rotational systems were tested against continuous grazing, fewer than half revealed pasture improvement relative to continuous grazing. In the majority of experiments animal production in the rotational system was either similar to or poorer than was achieved under continuous grazing. No rotational system consistently resulted in improved pasture or increased animal production. Where benefits in terms of pasture or animal production have been revealed these have been modest. In comparisons between different rotational systems the more intensive systems with larger numbers of paddocks have generally failed to show marked advantages over systems with fewer paddocks. The failure of experiments to reveal potential differences between systems, limitations to the potential differences and restrictions to production in rotational systems are discussed.

Keywords: animal production; benefits; continuous grazing; grazing; grazing management; limitations; management; pasture; pastures; production; restrictions; review